Swing District Republicans Weigh Bucking Leadership on Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

Some Republican lawmakers from swing districts are open to working with Democrats on a bipartisan spending bill to prevent a government shutdown.
Democrats and Republicans could use a procedural move called a "discharge petition" to force a floor vote on a clean spending bill, bypassing McCarthy.
The discharge petition process is complex and would take over a week, so may not avert a shutdown if begun too late.
Hardliners like Rep. Matt Gaetz warn swing district Republicans would face backlash for bucking leadership to sign a discharge petition.
Speaker McCarthy dodged on whether he'd blame moderates who sign a discharge petition, saying lawmakers should "work through this conference."

cnn.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/6/2023

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9/20/2023

Congress Considers Bills to Make Shutdowns More Painful for Lawmakers

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9/21/2023

Two House Republicans Open to Working With Democrats to Avoid Government Shutdown

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9/22/2023

Bipartisan Senators Propose Bill to Automatically Fund Government, Prevent Shutdowns

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9/23/2023

Lawmakers Face Potential Government Shutdown Next Week as Spending Deadline Looms

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9/24/2023

Government Shutdown Looms as GOP Holdouts Reject Stopgap Funding Bill

The leaders of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus are considering all options, including a discharge petition, to force a vote on their alternative stopgap plan to avoid a government shutdown as funding is set to run out on September 30.

9/25/2023

Congress Faces Funding Deadline and Infighting While Impeachment Inquiry Ramps Up

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9/28/2023

Government Shutdown Looms as Congress Fails to Agree on Spending Bill Over Border Security Demands

The Democratic-controlled Senate plans a procedural vote on a short-term spending measure to avoid a government shutdown, which Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has rejected due to disagreements over spending levels and immigration policies.

9/29/2023

Jeffries Weighs Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Spending Bill, Avoid Shutdown Despite Doubts on GOP Support

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is considering using a discharge petition to force a short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), onto the House floor in order to avoid a government shutdown, but he is skeptical of moderate Republicans joining the effort.

10/1/2023

Congress Averts Shutdown with Short-Term Spending Bill, but Long-Term Funding Uncertain

Congress passes a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown, which President Biden signed into law, funding the government through November 17.